Question:

I was in Wisconsin this past weekend doing allot of fishing with a buddy of mine. We started out on Fenner Lake at his cabin casting into lily pads and weedbeds for bass on Friday night. They were attacking my Dahlberg Diver but nothing of any substantial size was interested, just the little guys. They were allot of fun though. I’ll ask forgiveness now, I can’t recall any of the stream name, my friend was playing guide but the conditions were about the same on all the streams in the area. On Saturday we went to a little brook trout stream by his cabin and each landed one, but the fishing was real slow. The water was crystal clear and even 6x leaders were spooking them. We had to do allot of hanging over tall grasses and just dipping nymphs in to avoid spooking them. Later that day we hit another stream that was a bit wider and slower. The conditions were the same though. I managed to get one small brown but everything was getting spooked very easily. That evening we went back to the lake to go after pike. I was casting this monstrous streamer that was my buddies concoction. It was basically allot of orange and black fish hair with huge weighted eyes. We were casting to weedbeds right on drop offs. After about 50 casts I had a take, never having fished for pike on purpose the take caught me by surprise. Especially after swinging a 9wt around with that huge fly. I was slightly spellbound and pulled the rod tip up like I was catching a small trout, basically I didn’t set the hook. We saw his side as he turned on the fly. He looked pretty big but was only on for a minute. He’ll turn into my new "the one that got away" story. He was the only taker pike wise. I caught a few bass again and the biggest crappie I’ve ever seen. Now it gets rough. On Sunday we hit about 5 or 6 streams with no luck on any of them. The spook factor was worse than the day before. But on one stream we saw a small fish in his feeding lane. I cast a small hairs ear past him a dozen times and he didn’t spook at all, but didn’t seem interested. So I took my buddies rod, he was fishing a caddis emerger. Again we cast over him a dozen or so times without even an acknowledgement. So now wit our two rods, my buddy would change flies on one and I would cast the other. So we were just passing rods back and forth. After about 20 minutes of this we were getting pretty vindictive against this fish. We had already sent about 15 different flies by him. After about an hour we gave up. So in all my infinite wisdom I decided well I’m gonna at least scare the shit out of this bugger, and went charging up stream towards him. I got about 3 feet away and noticed we spent the last hour pulling our hair out trying to cast to a piece of seaweed drifting in the current. Talk about feeling dumb. We then proceeded to go back to his cabin and drank ourselves into a stupor. Oh well. Tim Apple

Response:

After about an hour we gave up. So in all my infinite wisdom I decided well I’m gonna at least scare the shit out of this bugger, and went charging up stream towards him. I got about 3 feet away and noticed we spent the last hour pulling our hair out trying to cast to a piece of seaweed drifting in the current. Talk about feeling dumb. We then proceeded to go back to his cabin and drank ourselves into a stupor. Oh well. Tim Apple

You coulda done worse – you coulda caught it.  BTW, did it spook? Peter Visit The Streamer Page at http://www.mountaincable.net/~pcharles/streamers/index.html

Response:

"Timothy Apple" wrote //good report snipped//   . . .I got about 3 feet away and noticed we spent the last hour pulling our hair out trying to cast to a piece of seaweed drifting in the current. Talk about feeling dumb. We then proceeded to go back to his cabin and drank ourselves into a stupor. Oh well.

Several years ago I was fishing a stream in the smokies. I was near the mouth of the stream and saw these HUGE fish cruising slowy up and down the creek. I must have spent at least an hour throwing everything I had at them before I realized they were carp. Bob — http://rwpatton.home.netcom.com/

Response:

I got about 3 feet away and noticed we spent the last hour pulling our hair out trying to cast to a piece of seaweed drifting in the current. Talk about feeling dumb.

That reminds me of partridge hunting (ruffed grouse to everyone else).  When you are looking for birds, every stump and rock looks like a bird. Pete Collin

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Question:

I tried it this weekend.. Not that great and, actually, I thought it was unremarkable..  I’ll stick to Thomas Kemper Big Fat Tuba as my fav.. Ben Perhaps it lived up to its name? Wade

Surprisingly, yes..  IMO.. Ben

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ah, yes… Castle Creek!  A lovely little run of water with great fishing, but you have to fish it right.  Honestly, if you don’t really sneak up on the creek, you’ll catch nothing.  Even the vibration of footsteps will give the brookies a severe case of lockjaw.  If you’re still in the area, find Ditch Creek Campground, south of Deerfield Lake and fish the stream between the campground and the lake.  Same stealth approach applies here. Man, good memories of camping, fishing and general exploring in these parts in the early ’70s.  Wish I was there! Greg Please tell us you have a web cam set up in the area so we can watch this as it takes place.  Kinda reminds me of snipe hunting when I was a

kid. Sorry, no web cam, but I’m not pulling your leg on the "sneak up on ‘em" approach for these brookies…. You could stand way back and try to cast to them, but the streams are narrow enough with trees, brush and shrubs that you’ll leave a lot of hardware hanging in the trees before you put a fly in the water (or at least that’s my experience).  BTW, did a lot of snipe hunting as a kid, too! Greg

Response:

While were on the subject.  Does anyone know if Big Rock Brewery in Calgary is still brewing Grasshopper.  It’s a great wheat ale that I haven’t been able to find here in Seattle for a while. Rich

They do make the Grasshopper, and they are also located in Vancouver as well as Delta BC. Wade

Response:

Welcome to the world of Northwest and Mountain states beer.  Along with Moose drool you may also like Mirror Pond Pale Ale, and Fat Tire Amber. While were on the subject.  Does anyone know if Big Rock Brewery in Calgary is still brewing Grasshopper.  It’s a great wheat ale that I haven’t been able to find here in Seattle for a while. Rich

Fat Tire Amber Ale is what I started out the trip with.  I bought it at Sam’s in Round Rock, Texas.  Good stuff. Bob, sitting in front of the Post Office, in Lead, SD

Response:

That’s a catchy name yuk. wade I tried it this weekend.. Not that great and, actually, I thought it was unremarkable..  I’ll stick to Thomas Kemper Big Fat Tuba as my fav.. Ben

Perhaps it lived up to its name? Wade

Response:

That’s a catchy name yuk. wade

I tried it this weekend.. Not that great and, actually, I thought it was unremarkable..  I’ll stick to Thomas Kemper Big Fat Tuba as my fav.. Ben

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Deerfield Lake, South Dakota 08/28/02 snip Not much luck on the fish.  I think that ranger guy was having a little fun with me about "Castle Crick".  It turns out to be a stream about 2 feet wide where it dumps into Deerfield Lake.  Small pickings. ah, yes… Castle Creek!  A lovely little run of water with great fishing, but you have to fish it right.  Honestly, if you don’t really sneak up on the creek, you’ll catch nothing.  Even the vibration of footsteps will give the brookies a severe case of lockjaw.  If you’re still in the area, find Ditch Creek Campground, south of Deerfield Lake and fish the stream between the campground and the lake.  Same stealth approach applies here. Man, good memories of camping, fishing and general exploring in these parts in the early ’70s.  Wish I was there! Greg

So that’s what the matter was.  I wasn’t sneaky enough.  Well, let that be a lesson to me. Bob

Response:

And wooly boogers?  Those things are HUGE.  The only action I got was on smaller stuff.   Not that it makes much difference Bob, but I think the fly was invented as a ‘Wooly Bugger’, not Booger.

If it is a 2 foot wide creek, chances are it has nothing bigger than 8 inch brookies.  A big bait would scare them off. LZ

Response:

Welcome to the world of Northwest and Mountain states beer.  Along with Moose drool you may also like Mirror Pond Pale Ale, and Fat Tire Amber. While were on the subject.  Does anyone know if Big Rock Brewery in Calgary is still brewing Grasshopper.  It’s a great wheat ale that I haven’t been able to find here in Seattle for a while. Rich

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Deerfield Lake, South Dakota 08/28/02 You know, as a matter of design, I’ve always disliked floor vents for heaters.  They’re a weak point in the floor, and they collect dirt and small dust bunnies that are hard to remove.  But after 2 hours wading up a cold stream in a pair of sneakers, it sure feels good to rest your blue toes right on top of that vent. Aaaaaahhhhhhh. Yeah, I know.  I have waders.  But I didn’t have them WITH me.  :o( Not much luck on the fish.  I think that ranger guy was having a little fun with me about "Castle Crick".  It turns out to be a stream about 2 feet wide where it dumps into Deerfield Lake.  Small pickings. And wooly boogers?  Those things are HUGE.  The only action I got was on smaller stuff. Most of the fishing here is done on the lake.  You can see the big ones rising in the morning, flop and flash.  I need to find or fashion a light pontoon for the kayak, to make it more stable for fishing. Perhaps a yoke and a couple pieces of conduit, with inflatable bags on the ends.  I’m not able to search the web right now, but I’ll bet somebody already makes something like that. There are a couple of special purpose fishing platforms being used here that are small and light enough to be carried in an RV compartment.  One is the inner tube with straps and waders contraption, which strikes me as an elaborate way to drown.  More promising are the 6-8 foot pontoon boats, with oars, that skitter around out there like waterbugs. They are very light, all aluminum tubing and air.  Maybe 40 lbs.  I saw a smallish man lift one easily from the back of his pickup, carry it upside down over his head 40 or 50 feet down a hill, and set it lightly in the water.  It rides high on the pontoons, which are inflated bladders zipped up in sturdy rubberized nylon covers.  It would take a lot to poke a hole in one. The neat thing is the way they break down flat for storage.  The frame snaps together, the pontoons deflate and fold up, and the biggest single piece is maybe 2′ x 3′ x 6 inches.  You could store it under your bed.  They cost anywhere from $400-$800.  At that price you could sell it if you didn’t like it, and not lose much.  The one I looked at was sold by "Buck’s Bags".  I think they have a website. Of course if you’re going out on Lake Superior, you need a kayak.  Or an ocean liner.  I’d rather have my kayak for speed and exploring. But for just getting out on the reservoir and having a stable place to cast from, these things are the Cat’s Meow.  They’ll take a trolling motor and battery if you’re feeling lazy.  There’s even room for a small cooler of Moose Drool. O yeah.  Moose Drool.  That’s the name of my favorite new beer, a brown ale made in Missoula.  Something like Bass ale.  When I first saw it down in Hill City, I thought: "That stuff has to be good, or they couldn’t stay in business". Believe me.  I have seen Moose drool.  It is not a pretty sight. Bob

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Not much luck on the fish.  I think that ranger guy was having a little fun with me about "Castle Crick".  It turns out to be a stream about 2 feet wide where it dumps into Deerfield Lake.  Small pickings. And wooly boogers?  Those things are HUGE.  The only action I got was on smaller stuff. Most of the fishing here is done on the lake.  You can see the big ones rising in the morning, flop and flash.  I need to find or fashion a light pontoon for the kayak, to make it more stable for fishing. Perhaps a yoke and a couple pieces of conduit, with inflatable bags on the ends.  I’m not able to search the web right now, but I’ll bet somebody already makes something like that. Bob

FWIW unless you’re flyfishing, I found that the following worked well on trout in small, shallow AZ Mountain streams: Light or ultralight spinning outfit with 2-lb monofilament and 1/16 oz spinners. Walk/fish upstream, and reel in the lure at – or slightly faster than – the speed the stream is carrying it toward you. When the trout didn’t want to bite Z-rays in AZ lakes, we switched to sliding sinkers with terminal tackle of a foot or two of 1-lb monofiliment with a 12 or 14 treble hook barely hidden in a wad of Velveeta cheese. — bill Theory don’t mean squat if it don’t work.

Response:

ah, yes… Castle Creek!  A lovely little run of water with great fishing, but you have to fish it right.  Honestly, if you don’t really sneak up on the creek, you’ll catch nothing.  Even the vibration of footsteps will give the brookies a severe case of lockjaw.  If you’re still in the area, find Ditch Creek Campground, south of Deerfield Lake and fish the stream between the campground and the lake.  Same stealth approach applies here. Man, good memories of camping, fishing and general exploring in these parts in the early ’70s.  Wish I was there! Greg

Please tell us you have a web cam set up in the area so we can watch this as it takes place.  Kinda reminds me of snipe hunting when I was a kid.

Response:

Check out www.bigskybrew.com for a list of items with Moose Drool  and others on them. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – O yeah.  Moose Drool.  That’s the name of my favorite new beer, a brown ale made in Missoula.  Something like Bass ale.  When I first saw it down in Hill City, I thought: "That stuff has to be good, or they couldn’t stay in business". I saw this beer at the store the other day..  Was tempted to try it..  Catchy name..  Maybe I’ll give it a go and bring a 6 pack to the PNWCO so we can say we drank Moose Drool at the PNWCO.. <g Ben Believe me.  I have seen Moose drool.  It is not a pretty sight. Bob

Response:

Believe me.  I have seen Moose drool.  It is not a pretty sight.

Don’t they drool only when in rut? It could be pretty to other moose (meese?)

Response:

Deerfield Lake, South Dakota 08/28/02

snip Not much luck on the fish.  I think that ranger guy was having a little fun with me about "Castle Crick".  It turns out to be a stream about 2 feet wide where it dumps into Deerfield Lake.  Small pickings.

ah, yes… Castle Creek!  A lovely little run of water with great fishing, but you have to fish it right.  Honestly, if you don’t really sneak up on the creek, you’ll catch nothing.  Even the vibration of footsteps will give the brookies a severe case of lockjaw.  If you’re still in the area, find Ditch Creek Campground, south of Deerfield Lake and fish the stream between the campground and the lake.  Same stealth approach applies here. Man, good memories of camping, fishing and general exploring in these parts in the early ’70s.  Wish I was there! Greg

Response:

And wooly boogers?  Those things are HUGE.  The only action I got was on smaller stuff.

  Not that it makes much difference Bob, but I think the fly was invented as a ‘Wooly Bugger’, not Booger.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – O yeah.  Moose Drool.  That’s the name of my favorite new beer, a brown ale made in Missoula.  Something like Bass ale.  When I first saw it down in Hill City, I thought: "That stuff has to be good, or they couldn’t stay in business". I saw this beer at the store the other day..  Was tempted to try it.. Catchy name..  Maybe I’ll give it a go and bring a 6 pack to the PNWCO so we can say we drank Moose Drool at the PNWCO.. <g Ben

That’s a catchy name yuk. wade

Response:

Deerfield Lake, South Dakota 08/28/02 You know, as a matter of design, I’ve always disliked floor vents for heaters.  They’re a weak point in the floor, and they collect dirt and

<<some good story snipped Most of the fishing here is done on the lake.  You can see the big ones rising in the morning, flop and flash.  I need to find or fashion a light pontoon for the kayak, to make it more stable for fishing.

On the kayak stabilization, they are called Sponsons.  Don’t ask about them in the paddling newsgroups cause we had a Craig the hitch guy, type spamming the groups about how everyone needs these or they will die.  But for your application they are pretty much perfect.  You can even deflate them for the paddle home if you choose.  Search the web for "sponson" <<some more really good story snipped Believe me.  I have seen Moose drool.  It is not a pretty sight. Bob

Snoball

Response:

O yeah.  Moose Drool.  That’s the name of my favorite new beer, a brown ale made in Missoula.  Something like Bass ale.  When I first saw it down in Hill City, I thought: "That stuff has to be good, or they couldn’t stay in business".

I saw this beer at the store the other day..  Was tempted to try it..  Catchy name..  Maybe I’ll give it a go and bring a 6 pack to the PNWCO so we can say we drank Moose Drool at the PNWCO.. <g Ben – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Believe me.  I have seen Moose drool.  It is not a pretty sight. Bob

Response:

Deerfield Lake, South Dakota 08/28/02 You know, as a matter of design, I’ve always disliked floor vents for heaters.  They’re a weak point in the floor, and they collect dirt and small dust bunnies that are hard to remove.  But after 2 hours wading up a cold stream in a pair of sneakers, it sure feels good to rest your blue toes right on top of that vent. Aaaaaahhhhhhh. Yeah, I know.  I have waders.  But I didn’t have them WITH me.  :o( Not much luck on the fish.  I think that ranger guy was having a little fun with me about "Castle Crick".  It turns out to be a stream about 2 feet wide where it dumps into Deerfield Lake.  Small pickings. And wooly boogers?  Those things are HUGE.  The only action I got was on smaller stuff. Most of the fishing here is done on the lake.  You can see the big ones rising in the morning, flop and flash.  I need to find or fashion a light pontoon for the kayak, to make it more stable for fishing. Perhaps a yoke and a couple pieces of conduit, with inflatable bags on the ends.  I’m not able to search the web right now, but I’ll bet somebody already makes something like that. There are a couple of special purpose fishing platforms being used here that are small and light enough to be carried in an RV compartment.  One is the inner tube with straps and waders contraption, which strikes me as an elaborate way to drown.  More promising are the 6-8 foot pontoon boats, with oars, that skitter around out there like waterbugs. They are very light, all aluminum tubing and air.  Maybe 40 lbs.  I saw a smallish man lift one easily from the back of his pickup, carry it upside down over his head 40 or 50 feet down a hill, and set it lightly in the water.  It rides high on the pontoons, which are inflated bladders zipped up in sturdy rubberized nylon covers.  It would take a lot to poke a hole in one. The neat thing is the way they break down flat for storage.  The frame snaps together, the pontoons deflate and fold up, and the biggest single piece is maybe 2′ x 3′ x 6 inches.  You could store it under your bed.  They cost anywhere from $400-$800.  At that price you could sell it if you didn’t like it, and not lose much.  The one I looked at was sold by "Buck’s Bags".  I think they have a website. Of course if you’re going out on Lake Superior, you need a kayak.  Or an ocean liner.  I’d rather have my kayak for speed and exploring. But for just getting out on the reservoir and having a stable place to cast from, these things are the Cat’s Meow.  They’ll take a trolling motor and battery if you’re feeling lazy.  There’s even room for a small cooler of Moose Drool. O yeah.  Moose Drool.  That’s the name of my favorite new beer, a brown ale made in Missoula.  Something like Bass ale.  When I first saw it down in Hill City, I thought: "That stuff has to be good, or they couldn’t stay in business". Believe me.  I have seen Moose drool.  It is not a pretty sight. Bob

Response:

Question:

I got an Outcast Fat Cat 66 VBoat for my birthday  and spent the day fishing a lovely pond on the edge of town. A friend who works for CO DOW gave me a tip on a low-pressure piece of stocked water and man oh man was he right! I have never in my life had a more productive day of fly fishing. This was my first time floating and I’m just amazed at the experience. I would like to meet other float tubers in the Boulder/Front Range area who would like to get together and fish. Reply here. Woo Hoo! Oh, btw, I’m 38. -bh

Response:

I got an Outcast Fat Cat 66 VBoat for my birthday  and spent the day fishing a lovely pond on the edge of town. A friend who works for CO DOW gave me a tip on a low-pressure piece of stocked water and man oh man was he right! I have never in my life had a more productive day of fly fishing. This was my first time floating and I’m just amazed at the experience. I would like to meet other float tubers in the Boulder/Front Range area who would like to get together and fish. Reply here. Woo Hoo! Oh, btw, I’m 38. -bh

Happy Birthday, B! Got me one of these devices too, but never got to try it. Blew up (Booom) on the first trip. Never reached the water though, lucky me! Just got a replacement innertube, if I dare to use it… Tight lines and safe floats! Stefan, Sweden

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Question:

Mike,   I think I was in Charlotte, coming from Miami heading for Dayton….no wait a minute I was in Miami. Anyhow, transferred in Charlotte and left for Dayton. Anyhow, when I left Miami, I could see my bags and rod case on the cart. The plane was full and my bags and rod case did not get loaded. they were left in Miami. My bags and rod case were on the turnstile when I got to Dayton. This causes a pain between my ears which I do not understand. john

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Going down to Venezuela for peacock bass in January, and I’m planning on taking all my gear in one carry-on bag (plus two travel rod tubes), but the airline tells me NO HOOKS, which means no flies.  Now, when I travel to fishing destinations, I never check anything, you guys know why.  Any suggestions on how to overcome the chances of not having any flies when I get there?  Thanks, Adam A bunch of guys from my club going down to Baja post 9/11 were not allowed to take hooks in their carryon going down. They were not allowed to even carry rods on board coming back. I have done quite a bit of international traveling with scuba gear which was way to much to carry on. I have had only one incident of a bag being delayed. There are a couple of things that I am sure help. Go for the easily identifiable luggage that doesn’t advertise that there is expensive sports equipment inside. Know the three letter airport code of your destination and make sure that is on the tag that is attached when you check in. Make sure the tag is attached to something secure on the luggage. Put your name and address inside as well as on the tag you are required to have outside. Mike — Michael McGuire                     Hewlett Packard Laboratories Phone: (650)-857-5491               Palo Alto, CA 94303-0971

Response:

Any suggestions on how to overcome the chances of not having any flies when I get there?  Thanks, I’ve never lost luggage on an international flight, so I’d check my bags – but I’d carry at least one rod and reel on just in case it’s the first time. <g They can’t take off with your bags without you on the plane these days, either. Or, you could try to sneak them on and take the chance of being held up in security while your plane does take off sans you. FWIW

Um…Right now, I’d recommend doing absolutely nothing that gives very jumpy airport security crews reason to give one any "special attention". A member of my design team was virtually strip-searched yesterday in Denver while changing planes on his way to San Jose, apparently the unlucky winner of a random selection process… /daytripper (He decidedly did not enjoy the experience)

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I saw a demonstration once on the use of everyday items as weapons.  I think the newspaper is actually deadlier than the Bic razor!!

Perhaps it’s not wise to publicize even the possibility in a public forum, but there’s some evidence that a properly cured pair of waders, carried aboard in a hermetically sealed bag, then opened once aloft, could render the entire cabin unconscious.   JR

Response:

… there’s some evidence that a properly cured pair of waders, carried aboard in a hermetically sealed bag, then opened once aloft, could render the entire cabin unconscious.

I thought Waldo had his old waders carted off to a Superfund Site. — Ken Fortenberry- pray that bin Laden never gets his hands on Waldo’s waders

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Several years ago my company was working on a project in Venezuela.  Fed-X subcontracts delivery.  It took two weeks for them to get a package there.  DHL was much better, however customs in Venezuela is always a crap shoot. Things do not understand drive them nuts.   Put the hooks/flys in checked baggage if you really want any chance of them being there with you.  Have a great trip. Chuck W. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – We’ve had better luck with DHL-Intenational.  Cheaper than UPS generally, and simpler customs clearance issues. — Jim —      http://www.westernsportshop.com Western Sport Shop Discussion forums –      http://www.westernsportshop.com/forums.html Western Sport Shop Email Newsletter Signup –      http://lists.westernsportshop.com/mailman/listinfo/wss-newsletter

Response:

Thanks anyway.

It’s your call. I’ve taken 3 international trips since 9/11 and I would take my chances with checked baggage over trying to carry anything sharp on the plane. — Charlie…

Response:

I’ve made my decision, I’m checking the hooks.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks anyway. It’s your call. I’ve taken 3 international trips since 9/11 and I would take my chances with checked baggage over trying to carry anything sharp on the plane. — Charlie…

Response:

I’ve made my decision, I’m checking the hooks.

Best of luck both traveling and fishing! — Charlie…

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I saw a demonstration once on the use of everyday items as weapons.  I think the newspaper is actually deadlier than the Bic razor!!   Scott – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Remember, the airline people are not the screeners….Chances are the person you spoke to was thinking more along the lines of a hook for a baleen whale, We had a good customer who attempted to board a plane with a disposable BIC razor in his carry-on.  Thankfully, the screeners stopped him cold, taking his weapon.  Once through the security checkpoint, he went into the newstand and bought a newspaper and a 3-pack of BIC disposable razors…. ;^) Until things get more sane, I’d probably ship ‘em down early, or pack some into your checked luggage – maybe both… — Jim

Response:

Good idea, but the place I’m going to is really out of the way, and I’ve heard that stuff often doesn’t get there.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you have a contact point in Venezuela like an outfitter or lodge you could arrange to have Fed-x or UPS worldwide to ship your flies down in advance and have them waiting for you. Kinda pricey, but if you’re spending that kind of money to go down there, it might be just another vacation related expense. Going down to Venezuela for peacock bass in January, and I’m planning on taking all my gear in one carry-on bag (plus two travel rod tubes), but the airline tells me NO HOOKS, which means no flies.  Now, when I travel to fishing destinations, I never check anything, you guys know why.  Any suggestions on how to overcome the chances of not having any flies when I get there?  Thanks, Adam

Response:

I’ve never lost any stuff on an international flight, either (probably because I carry on).  But, during my last trip to Venezuela, one of the folks at the camp didn’t get his stuff until the 7th day of a 9 day stay. He’d been going done there for 10 years, but shit is bound to happen. Thanks anyway.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any suggestions on how to overcome the chances of not having any flies when I get there?  Thanks, I’ve never lost luggage on an international flight, so I’d check my bags – but I’d carry at least one rod and reel on just in case it’s the first time. <g They can’t take off with your bags without you on the plane these days, either. Or, you could try to sneak them on and take the chance of being held up in security while your plane does take off sans you. FWIW — Charlie…

Response:

If you have a contact point in Venezuela like an outfitter or lodge you could arrange to have Fed-x or UPS worldwide to ship your flies down in advance and have them waiting for you. Kinda pricey, but if you’re spending that kind of money to go down there, it might be just another vacation related expense.

We’ve had better luck with DHL-Intenational.  Cheaper than UPS generally, and simpler customs clearance issues. — Jim —      http://www.westernsportshop.com Western Sport Shop Discussion forums –      http://www.westernsportshop.com/forums.html Western Sport Shop Email Newsletter Signup –      http://lists.westernsportshop.com/mailman/listinfo/wss-newsletter

Response:

Remember, the airline people are not the screeners….Chances are the person you spoke to was thinking more along the lines of a hook for a baleen whale,

We had a good customer who attempted to board a plane with a disposable BIC razor in his carry-on.  Thankfully, the screeners stopped him cold, taking his weapon.  Once through the security checkpoint, he went into the newstand and bought a newspaper and a 3-pack of BIC disposable razors…. ;^) Until things get more sane, I’d probably ship ‘em down early, or pack some into your checked luggage – maybe both… — Jim —      http://www.westernsportshop.com Western Sport Shop Discussion forums –      http://www.westernsportshop.com/forums.html Western Sport Shop Email Newsletter Signup –      http://lists.westernsportshop.com/mailman/listinfo/wss-newsletter

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Post 9/11 I went from West Palm Beach-Houston-South padre Isl for red fish. As my guide was supplying the flies, I just took 2 travel rod in aluminum tubes, and my gear bag (sans flies and knives).  However, I was stopped at the x-ray machine and my 51/2" forceps were confiscated.  Luckily I had time to bring them to the check-in counter and they kept them until I got back. I think that the bottom line is that we are all at the mercy of the examiners and not the airlines.  What may be one guy’s interpretation of a weapon, may be another guy’s harmless nose hair picker.  I think that I’ll just check the flies in a non-descript bag and hope they arrive in Caracas with me. By the way, I’m going back to a Peacock bass camp on the banks of the Cinaruco River (about 300 miles south of Caracas).  Let me highly recommend this destination as a place to go if you want a lot of action with al very tough fish.  My first time there, last year in January, I met up with 3 other fly rodders and for 9 days we boated between 20 and 59 fish/each per day.  They averaged around 5#, and I was lucky to catch the biggest of the trip, a 10 and 12 pounded.  This is not the Lake Guri deal.  It is more rustic, the food is good-OK, drinks on the house, there are all three species of peacocks int he water, the biggest goes to around 16-17# (the only negative for those who want the bigger fish).  I normally go to the Caribbean for sight fishing, which I will continue to do, but the action here was so good that I had to do it again.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Going down to Venezuela for peacock bass in January, and I’m planning on taking all my gear in one carry-on bag (plus two travel rod tubes), but the airline tells me NO HOOKS, which means no flies.  Now, when I travel to fishing destinations, I never check anything, you guys know why.  Any suggestions on how to overcome the chances of not having any flies when I get there?  Thanks, Adam A bunch of guys from my club going down to Baja post 9/11 were not allowed to take hooks in their carryon going down. They were not allowed to even carry rods on board coming back. I have done quite a bit of international traveling with scuba gear which was way to much to carry on. I have had only one incident of a bag being delayed. There are a couple of things that I am sure help. Go for the easily identifiable luggage that doesn’t advertise that there is expensive sports equipment inside. Know the three letter airport code of your destination and make sure that is on the tag that is attached when you check in. Make sure the tag is attached to something secure on the luggage. Put your name and address inside as well as on the tag you are required to have outside. Mike — Michael McGuire                     Hewlett Packard Laboratories Phone: (650)-857-5491               Palo Alto, CA 94303-0971

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Going down to Venezuela for peacock bass in January, and I’m planning on taking all my gear in one carry-on bag (plus two travel rod tubes), but the airline tells me NO HOOKS, which means no flies.  Now, when I travel to fishing destinations, I never check anything, you guys know why.  Any suggestions on how to overcome the chances of not having any flies when I get there?  Thanks, Adam

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If you have a contact point in Venezuela like an outfitter or lodge you could arrange to have Fed-x or UPS worldwide to ship your flies down in advance and have them waiting for you. Kinda pricey, but if you’re spending that kind of money to go down there, it might be just another vacation related expense.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Going down to Venezuela for peacock bass in January, and I’m planning on taking all my gear in one carry-on bag (plus two travel rod tubes), but the airline tells me NO HOOKS, which means no flies.  Now, when I travel to fishing destinations, I never check anything, you guys know why.  Any suggestions on how to overcome the chances of not having any flies when I get there?  Thanks, Adam

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Any suggestions on how to overcome the chances of not having any flies when I get there?  Thanks,

I’ve never lost luggage on an international flight, so I’d check my bags – but I’d carry at least one rod and reel on just in case it’s the first time. <g They can’t take off with your bags without you on the plane these days, either. Or, you could try to sneak them on and take the chance of being held up in security while your plane does take off sans you. FWIW — Charlie…

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Adam, let me ask exactly where you are going… I’ve had no problems heading south, but the last time was before 9-11. Remember, the airline people are not the screeners….Chances are the person you spoke to was thinking more along the lines of a hook for a baleen whale, or maybe one of the narwhale things that made the mermaid legends.  Which, considering what the mores of society have been in the none to recent past and present, doesn’t really surprise me that there might have been a sexual attraction. I AM surprised that there was no viable offspring. john You could always send a package to the guide a couple of weeks before. They generally have good connections in town.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Going down to Venezuela for peacock bass in January, and I’m planning on taking all my gear in one carry-on bag (plus two travel rod tubes), but the airline tells me NO HOOKS, which means no flies.  Now, when I travel to fishing destinations, I never check anything, you guys know why.  Any suggestions on how to overcome the chances of not having any flies when I get there?  Thanks, Adam

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Going down to Venezuela for peacock bass in January, and I’m planning on taking all my gear in one carry-on bag (plus two travel rod tubes), but the airline tells me NO HOOKS, which means no flies.  Now, when I travel to fishing destinations, I never check anything, you guys know why.  Any suggestions on how to overcome the chances of not having any flies when I get there?  Thanks, Adam

A bunch of guys from my club going down to Baja post 9/11 were not allowed to take hooks in their carryon going down. They were not allowed to even carry rods on board coming back. I have done quite a bit of international traveling with scuba gear which was way to much to carry on. I have had only one incident of a bag being delayed. There are a couple of things that I am sure help. Go for the easily identifiable luggage that doesn’t advertise that there is expensive sports equipment inside. Know the three letter airport code of your destination and make sure that is on the tag that is attached when you check in. Make sure the tag is attached to something secure on the luggage. Put your name and address inside as well as on the tag you are required to have outside. Mike — Michael McGuire                     Hewlett Packard Laboratories Phone: (650)-857-5491               Palo Alto, CA 94303-0971          

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Question:

Some stamps came out a while ago featuring flies. Anyone know where I cn get them? Ari

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Some stamps came out a while ago featuring flies. Anyone know where I cn get them?

Um……U.S Post Office?

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I have a first day issue of these stamps.  They were released on May 31, 1991 by the US post office. If you live in the US, look in your local phone book for a stamp collector store.  They will probably have it.  I first day issue will probably cost about $10, a strip about $5.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Some stamps came out a while ago featuring flies. Anyone know where I cn get them? Ari

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Some stamps came out a while ago featuring flies. Anyone know where I can get them?

I don’t know if they are still available in the Post Office or not — occasionally I see someone offer a booklet of them on eBay at auction. Fleetwood is still selling First Day Covers and Postcards so you can get a description of the stamps by going to their web site and searching for "fishing flies" http://www.unicover.com/unisearch.htm? At the time of issue the Post Office also put out a framed print of a fly fisherman with all five stamps included.  I have one around here somewhere but couldn’t find it to provide a better description. I’m not a stamp collector myself but am trying to round up copies of all the first day stuff for the Largemouth Bass stamp. Have a great weekend, — Clyde Drury Black Bass Book Collector http://members.aol.com/BassBks/index.html

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Question:

I have read that it is a good idea to attach a short length of monofilament to the end of one’s line and finishing it with a perfection loop.  This would enable one to attach (and exchange) different leaders without having to tie a knot (loop to loop) and saves the end of the fly line from repeated clippings.   I would like to know two things: 1. Who uses this and do you like it? 2. What length and pound test of mono would you suggest for a 5wt fly line? Thanks in advance for your help. JB

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JB, I used to use a perfection loop but changed last year when I realized that 98% of any windknots I got were wrapped around the loop connection.  I now tie on a  12"-18" section of heavy (20#) mono directly to the end of the fly line using a blood knot, then tie in a knotless leader one size under my desired tippet (again with a blood knot), then finally tie in a tippet of the desired length and weight using either a surgeons knot or another blood knot. When the tippet needs replaced I just snip off just behind the last knot and tie in another length.  The leader is handled the same way.  When the heavy mono gets below six inches I snip it off just behind the knot and tie in again. While this does cause some loss of the fly line it is very little, less than a inch last year.  I figure by the time I get to the point where it interferes with the geometry of the fly line it will be time to replace the line anyway. When I first started this I got a spool of 10# mono and practiced tying blood knots while watching TV or listening to the stereo.  I had always avoided tying the blood knot as it appeared difficult and clumsy but after a week of practicing during TV or stereo I was tying them without looking. Overall this system has been easy for me to use and its reduced my windknots by maybe 50%. Just my experience. Regards, Don – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have read that it is a good idea to attach a short length of monofilament to the end of one’s line and finishing it with a perfection loop.  This would enable one to attach (and exchange) different leaders without having to tie a knot (loop to loop) and saves the end of the fly line from repeated clippings.   I would like to know two things: 1. Who uses this and do you like it? 2. What length and pound test of mono would you suggest for a 5wt fly line? Thanks in advance for your help. JB

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______  If you will TRASH that loop to loop connection because you’re so lazy to do it right, your delivery will be most assured and up town as a serious fly fisherman. Need I be more blunt?

No, but you might try saying it in English. — Levi Life is anything that dies when you stomp on it.                                                         — Dave Barry

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Don, Thanks for the advice, I appreciate you sharing your experience and I will give your method a try.   Kind of you to help, thanks again. EJB

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EJB I agree with Don and do it exactly the same way he does.  I use the same poundage lines too.  If I were writing the first reply, it would have been the same as Don’s Good luck! Bob

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I use a loop-to-loop connection between leader and tippet only if the tippet is 4lb test or higher.  A good knot will distribute the stress over several wraps of monofilament.  A loop to loop connection is just line against line. In most cases, I’ll tie on a tippet with a surgeon’s knot. Mu

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I use a loop-to-loop connection between leader and tippet only if the tippet is 4lb test or higher.  A good knot will distribute the stress over several wraps of monofilament.  A loop to loop connection is just line against line. In most cases, I’ll tie on a tippet with a surgeon’s knot. Mu

______  If you will TRASH that loop to loop connection because you’re so lazy to do it right, your delivery will be most assured and up town as a serious fly fisherman. Need I be more blunt? — Mr.G http://www.gink.com/  Updates http://www.gink.com/chat Flyfishing Conversations 6:00 PM PST till after midnight.

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Question:

Assuming that you didn’t set the rod in a corner or leave it in its aluminum tube in your car, I’d say that it sounds like insufficient heat-treating of the bamboo.  (Is the rod a "blonde" bamboo or darker?)  I’d say you should contact the manufacturer. George

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I recently purchased a fairly expensive 7′  3wt.custom bamboo rod.  After a few careful fishing excursions I noticed a slight curve has developed between the tip of the rod and the second eye from the top.  Is this a normal characteristic of bamboo or a quality or workmanship issue. Any advice greatly appreciated Tom Bogdan

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I recently purchased a fairly expensive 7′  3wt.custom bamboo rod.  After a few careful fishing excursions I noticed a slight curve has developed between the tip of the rod and the second eye from the top.  Is this a normal characteristic of bamboo or a quality or workmanship issue. Any advice greatly appreciated Tom Bogdan

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It is completly normal and is called a "fishing set" or just a "set". Ways to avoid them is to occasionally turn the rod over when fighting a fish and make sure the rod is dry before putting it back in the tube. If you want to correct it you can heat the section with a hair dryer and hold the section straight until it cools or go fishing and catch a few fish playing them with the rod turned 180 degrees. Paul

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I recently purchased a fairly expensive 7′  3wt.custom bamboo rod.  After a few careful fishing excursions I noticed a slight curve has developed between the tip of the rod and the second eye from the top.  Is this a normal characteristic of bamboo or a quality or workmanship issue. Any advice greatly appreciated Tom Bogdan

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I recently purchased a fairly expensive 7′  3wt.custom bamboo rod.  After a few careful fishing excursions I noticed a slight curve has developed between the tip of the rod and the second eye from the top.  Is this a normal characteristic of bamboo or a quality or workmanship issue.

The first couple of rods I built have both shown a proclivity towards a tip set. I think it was a combination of three things (1) poor workmanship (i.e. insufficient heat treating), (2) excessively long sections–both rods were 5 feet long with no ferrule, and (3) improper storage–I live in a very humid climate and I did not take steps to make sure the rods were kept dry. Since then I’ve built several rods with improvements in all three of the above shortcomings. So far none of those rods is any less straight today that it was when it was new (which is to say in some cases that they didn’t start out arrow straight to begin with–but that’s another topic . Assuming you haven’t horsed fish in (and it sounds like you’ve been careful), I would see if the builder would be willing to restraighten the rod for you at his expense. It might not stay straight, but the builder’s reaction will tell you a lot. As Paul mentioned in a different reply, you can do it yourself using a hair dryer and gentle pressure in the opposite direction of the set. The bottom line: if I were one day to start making rods professionaly, I would consider a tip set after only a couple of careful uses (assuming the rod is being stored correctly) to be a shortcoming in my heat-treating technique. –Steve

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It’s a quality and workmanship issue, return it! Vern – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I recently purchased a fairly expensive 7′  3wt.custom bamboo rod.  After a few careful fishing excursions I noticed a slight curve has developed between the tip of the rod and the second eye from the top.  Is this a normal characteristic of bamboo or a quality or workmanship issue. Any advice greatly appreciated Tom Bogdan

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It’s a quality and workmanship issue, return it! Vern I recently purchased a fairly expensive 7′  3wt.custom bamboo rod.  After a few careful fishing excursions I noticed a slight curve has developed between the tip of the rod and the second eye from the top.  Is this a normal characteristic of bamboo or a quality or workmanship issue. Any advice greatly appreciated Tom Bogdan

_______  You may be too hasty here.  This is what you need to do.  Look at the tip closely and make sure it has a good varnish finish on it, protecting the rod from getting wet inside. Sets in bamboo fly rods can be caused the same way as with graphite. Setting it in an upright position leaning against a corner or wall or having a bend in the tip over a long period of time.  Heat in the summer, beating down on any fly rod can cause tips or rods to take a set. With bamboo Tom, if you’re satisfied the finish is well done and the fly rod is not wet inside,  you can do this.  Set a hair dryer up to blow hot air.  Heat that section of the fly rod gently until the rod gets not warm, but hot.  Yet, not hot enough to burn it.  Hot enough to make it pliable.  Simply remove from heat and torque the bend or set out into opposite direction and hold it there until rod cools.  All bamboo fly rods are straightened like this Tom.  A master fly rod maker can’t pick up a fly rod without tweaking it time and again until it is finally finished and ready for delivery.   The heat will soften the glue enough so it will move molecularly.  It makes no difference it your have a $7,000 Bamboo Fly Rod or a Production Line fly rod – they all will take sets sooner or later. Permit me to offer you some sage advice.  Store your tip tops of your tips to the top of your tube next to the cork handle.  Regarding the bag with a cord to wrap them with?  DON’T use them.  Simply insert the rod with sock loosely into the tube.  Always try and keep your bamboo fly rods laying flat or straight and apart over long periods of time.  If you make a mental error regarding your tips and you get a set because they got too hot in the sun when under car glass, etc.  You can now fix the problem yourself. If you are not sure, send it too me and I will fix it for you for nothing.  What brand fly rod  it is, isn’t important. — George Gehrke/American Sportsman http://www.gink.com/shopcart/index.html http://www.gink.com/rod_facts/bastardjun00.html  LATEST BAMBOO FACTS "the saga continues"

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I have an Uncle who recently showed me a fly rod that he has had for 20 yrs. I have never heard of the name of the maker and I was hoping that someone out there could maybe help me find out what its worth and where it came from. I have searched the internet and haven’t found anything. Here is a list of what the rod says on it: Made by T. C. Ivens "The Ivens Farstrike" Made in London 9′ 4"     6# That is all the markings that are on the rod. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. Please email me with any responses as I do not have a chance to check this newsgroup very often. Thanks for any help. Mark Blanks

Contact this web sit.  They may be able to answer your bamboo question.    http://www.gorp.com/bamboo.htm Good luck. Joel Axelrad Joel Axelrad

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Made by T. C. Ivens "The Ivens Farstrike" Made in London 9′ 4"     6#

Tom Ivens was not really a rod manufacturer but a well-known English angling writer (born 1922, author of Still Water Fly Fishing etc.)  Rods with his name are probably discussed in British magazines of the 1960s e.g. Trout and Salmon. — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

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I have an Uncle who recently showed me a fly rod that he has had for 20 yrs. I have never heard of the name of the maker and I was hoping that someone out there could maybe help me find out what its worth and where it came from. I have searched the internet and haven’t found anything. Here is a list of what the rod says on it: Made by T. C. Ivens "The Ivens Farstrike" Made in London 9′ 4"     6# That is all the markings that are on the rod. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. Please email me with any responses as I do not have a chance to check this newsgroup very often. Thanks for any help. Mark Blanks

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While picking the brain of a more experienced fly fisherman today I was puzzled by a remark he made about bamboo rods.  He said the reason for two tips was to permit a tip to "rest".  According to him bamboo begins to lose power in the tip section after several hours of fishing and must be "rested" for a time. I find this improbable but would like to hear about the behavior of bamboo as a fly-rod material and any special care required. Wayne To fish is human…to release devine.

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Wayne wrote While picking the brain of a more experienced fly fisherman today I was puzzled by a remark he made about bamboo rods.  He said the reason for two tips was to permit a tip to "rest".  According to him bamboo begins to lose power in the tip section after several hours of fishing and must be "rested" for a time. I find this improbable but would like to hear about the behavior of bamboo as a fly-rod material and any special care required. Wayne To fish is human…to release devine.

The tip section gets what is known as a "set" a curve downward.  Especially if you catch a lot of big fish or have the rod overlined.  This curve (set) remains in the tip and would have to be straightened by a rod builder or person who is expert in the process.  If you have a twin tip rod it’s best to rotate the tips.  Resting them will not straighten them! Joel Axelrad

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The tip section gets what is known as a "set" a curve downward.  Especially if you catch a lot of big fish or have the rod overlined.  This curve (set) remains in the tip and would have to be straightened by a rod builder or person who is expert in the process.  If you have a twin tip rod it’s best to rotate the tips.  Resting them will not straighten them! Joel Axelrad

As well, one should consciously (and conscientiously) avoid applying prolonged unidirectional pressure on the tip section of your favorite cane rod, and rotate the rod about its long axis while playing in your catch (ie: half the time the reel should be below the rod, the other half it should be above). Awkward for certain, but every little bit will help keep your cane healthy and avoid the dreaded set. /dave

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Wayne wrote While picking the brain of a more experienced fly fisherman today I was puzzled by a remark he made about bamboo rods.  He said the reason for two tips was to permit a tip to "rest".  According to him bamboo begins to lose power in the tip section after several hours of fishing and must be "rested" for a time. I find this improbable but would like to hear about the behavior of bamboo as a fly-rod material and any special care required.

A set can happen for a lot of reasons, playing big fish or overlining the rod are but two fo them.  Leaning the rod in a corner, hanging it like a rifle, even the way the rod was made and the glue used could cause the tips or any section of the rod to take a set, especially if there was a weak flat in the section. As for two tips so that you can rotate them, well, that is partly true, but it very much depends on the rod.  A great many of the older, and even some newer rods are made with two tips to do various things.  Some had a Wet Fly action tip and a Dry Fly action tip.  Some were and are even produced to handle different line weights – say a 5 and a 7. As for bamboo losing power after a time, that happens after many years of fishing.  There is no need to rest a tip after a day of fishing. One other point about two tips comes up often, and that is that the second tip is an insurance policy against breakage.  Nice to have a spare tip when you are at a remote camp for a few days. Lastly, should a rod take a set, you can have it removed.  But chances are that the set will reapear in time.

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While picking the brain of a more experienced fly fisherman today I was puzzled by a remark he made about bamboo rods.  He said the reason for two tips was to permit a tip to "rest".  According to him bamboo begins to lose power in the tip section after several hours of fishing and must be "rested" for a time. I find this improbable but would like to hear about the behavior of bamboo as a fly-rod material and any special care required.

Hi Wayne, Bamboo is an organic material which does soften up and wear out over time with hard use, but a few hours of casting is a bit of a stretch.  Also, because the material is no longer alive, It can’t repair itself or get stronger form resting.   The two tips were supplied because the tip  flexes the most and wears out the quickest. If you alternate the tips everytime you go out fishing it will typically take 50 years of hard fishing to soften them up to the point that you need to use a lighter line than the rod originally cast.  If you use the same tip all the time, it takes ~25 years of hard fishing to reach this point. this is a slow process and happens so gradually that the fly fisher rarely realizes it’s happened. It’s possible for the butt section to also soften up, but there is so much more material in the butt section, it is rare. Most people who used bamboo rods in their heyday, didn’t alternate the tips every time they went out.  They used one until they broke it (typically in a door of some kind)  and then used the other tip. If the rod was used a lot and fished with the same tip, using the other tip on makes the rod cast entirely differently.   When you look at such a rod, it’s usually pretty easy to determine which tip was used the most. Dependant upon what type of glue was used to make the rod, you can also put a set (or permanent bend) in the rod by fighting particulalry large fish for extended periods of time.  To counteract this, many who use bamboo rods will turn the rod over during the fight, and fight the fish with the reel above the rod instead of below it.  The idea was to even out the stress on the tip and keep it straight.  Still others will point to the set in their rod as a battle scar and saythings like, "You should have seen the fish that put that set in my rod — monster!!".  Most old, well used,  bamboo rods have some evidence of a set in them.  If the set gets bad enough to inhibit casting, it can be taken out with the judicious use of dry heat, preferably done by an experienced bamboo rod builder.                                  Hope this helps,                                        Dan Dan Gracia Orvis

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The answer to both of your questions is YES…..

Along with Larry’s good advice, in using cane pay attention to the varnish and other details. If there are nicks and problems moisture can get in and delaminate it so touch it up with spar varnish.  If you hear clicking from a ferrule take care of it before it works loose and causes a break. When playing a good sized fish turn the rod around so it’s not always bending the same direction, to prevent putting a permanent bend in it. And never ever put it away damp.  It is better for it to be out in the rain overnight than in a damp cloth sleeve in a closed tube. I am gradually switching to cane for most of my fishing. I enjoy the slower pace of casting. I enjoy the more substantial heft of the solid cane in the light rods compared to hollow rods that feel weightless. Solid cane is more rugged than hollow graphite when you step on it. You feel the line load the rod and the way the rod springs back to fling it.  Someone spent as much time to make the rods as I had to work to pay for them.  You can buy great cane rods that collectors shun for $100-200 because maybe someone broke an inch off the tip or rewrapped them without regard for color matching. Friday I used an old 8 wt. Granger on the North Umpqua and caught a 10 lb. wild steelhead. That rod might be too heavy to cast all day but I sit and watch a river half the time anyway, the best technique of all for success and enjoyment. My modern reel backlashed so I had to play it by hand and hold tight when it tried to run. I should have used a pflueger.  The rod had backbone to spare. The smile will last for months, regardless of how the Raiders play. I am more hoping we can get the Oakland A’s back in a few years. Mark Vinsel Oakland, CA www.vinsel.com

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Sorry but I just have to comment on the Traitor Raiders. Don’t watch them anymore, don’t care. Let them move back to LA. When a team can fill the stands and the owner still moves them because of pure greed, that team should no longer be supported by those that care. Same thing should have happened to the Baltimore Colts when they moved. Although football teams are privately owned, they take on the name of the city where they play, it wasn’t the A. Davis Raiders, It was the Oakland Raiders, in using the name, they owe something to the city and fans that supported them so well Jerry in Lodi (close to Oakland) http://www.softcom.net/users/dorado — ——- Hope you always have time to go fishing, Jerry in Lodi      Al & Jerry’s Excellent Adventures           http://www.softcom.net/users/dorado     Member: Save Our Stripers          http://www.softcom.net/users/dorado/sos.htm

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Yes, bamboo requires a much slower stroke than graphite. A good caster adjusts to the rod instead of finding a rod that he can cast. There are no more REAL Raiders.  It’s like the old saying "you can’t go home again".  Al Davis really stuck it to the taxpayers of Alameda County and we didn’t even get a chance to vote on the money we are paying for the pleasure of watching them loose.  It looks like they are going to repeat their loosing performance again this year. — Ernie Harrison Remove NOSPAM to send E-Mail Selling my Fly Fishing Books Go to: http://users.ccnet.com/~emh – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The answer to both of your questions is YES….. Naturally, you’ll need to carefully inspect the rods for splits between the cane sections, tight ferrules, no unraveling wraps on the eyes and a tight reel seat. You need to handle the rod carefully, not to load it too much, make some nice gentle casts, say up to 30′ with it at first and then lengthen the line…..you will likely be surprised how smooth it feels and how well you feel the line straighten out behind you as opposed to graphite. The REAL Raiders had a glorious existence in OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA until their bonehead owner decided to "fool with Mother Nature"…he wasn’t making enough money, made ridiculous demands on the city and county who owned th estadium the Raiders played and won super bowl championships from and move the team to Los Angeles….they went into the former LA Coliseum which had ben renovated for the 84 olympics, never could fill it and failed to have much success playing there…..a few years back, they lied to the former city and county in which they won lots of fans and games, convinced them to rebiuld the stadium, sell "seat licenses"

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Well when you reach my age the first thing to go is your memory and I forgot what the second thing is. — Ernie Harrison Remove NOSPAM to send E-Mail Selling my Fly Fishing Books Go to: http://users.ccnet.com/~emh – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Errol Mann is my investment broker….he doesn’t fish I remember George Blanda,I don’t remember Don.

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As a follow-up question to the group: Is it realistic to expect to use a 30 to 70 year old bamboo  rod for day to day fishing.  Even if in otherwise good condition would the moisture loss and case hardening of bamboo occur as in wood to reduce flexibility and increase internal friction damage? Thanks to the group for the excellent information about bamboo. Was there a football team called Raiders? Wayne To fish is human…to release devine.

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The answer to both of your questions is YES….. Naturally, you’ll need to carefully inspect the rods for splits between the cane sections, tight ferrules, no unraveling wraps on the eyes and a tight reel seat. You need to handle the rod carefully, not to load it too much, make some nice gentle casts, say up to 30′ with it at first and then lengthen the line…..you will likely be surprised how smooth it feels and how well you feel the line straighten out behind you as opposed to graphite. The REAL Raiders had a glorious existence in OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA until their bonehead owner decided to "fool with Mother Nature"…he wasn’t making enough money, made ridiculous demands on the city and county who owned th estadium the Raiders played and won super bowl championships from and move the team to Los Angeles….they went into the former LA Coliseum which had ben renovated for the 84 olympics, never could fill it and failed to have much success playing there…..a few years back, they lied to the former city and county in which they won lots of fans and games, convinced them to rebiuld the stadium, sell "seat licenses"

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I remember George Blanda,I don’t remember Don.

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Errol Mann is my investment broker….he doesn’t fish – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I remember George Blanda,I don’t remember Don.

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Larry, I remember Don Blanda, he used to fill in for Ken Stabler.  He was the oldest quarterback playing at that time, but normally was the Raiders place kicker.  Those were the good old days. — Ernie Harrison Remove NOSPAM to send E-Mail Selling my Fly Fishing Books Go to: http://users.ccnet.com/~emh – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The 3 canes I have, all having two tips at least at ONE time, have tips of differing composition…I mean one of them being of a stouter material. There is/was a marked difference in the performance of the rods dependent on the tip used…I had always thought of it as a "nymphing tip" and a "dry fly tip", that’s how different the action of the rods were. I still take one cane out each trip, and get it maybe a half hour of action, but then they go back to rest, with a brandy and a cigar…..=8^) I refer to them as my "Blanda Rods" for those of you with remembrances of Raiders football in the late 60s – early 70s. Larry #:)#

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The 3 canes I have, all having two tips at least at ONE time, have tips of differing composition…I mean one of them being of a stouter material. There is/was a marked difference in the performance of the rods dependent on the tip used…I had always thought of it as a "nymphing tip" and a "dry fly tip", that’s how different the action of the rods were. I still take one cane out each trip, and get it maybe a half hour of action, but then they go back to rest, with a brandy and a cigar…..=8^) I refer to them as my "Blanda Rods" for those of you with remembrances of Raiders football in the late 60s – early 70s. Larry #:)#

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I always thought the idea of two tips was that the tip is the most likely the section to get  broken. — Ernie Harrison Remove NOSPAM to send E-Mail Selling my Fly Fishing Books Go to: http://users.ccnet.com/~emh – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – While picking the brain of a more experienced fly fisherman today I was puzzled by a remark he made about bamboo rods.  He said the reason for two tips was to permit a tip to "rest".  According to him bamboo begins to lose power in the tip section after several hours of fishing and must be "rested" for a time. I find this improbable but would like to hear about the behavior of bamboo as a fly-rod material and any special care required. Wayne To fish is human…to release devine.

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While picking the brain of a more experienced fly fisherman today I was puzzled by a remark he made about bamboo rods.  He said the reason for two tips was to permit a tip to "rest".  According to him bamboo begins to lose power in the tip section after several hours of fishing and must be "rested" for a time.

I can’t speak as to bamboo rods (mine having only one tip each, but not normally used continuously for more than a couple of hours) — but fibreglass rods seemed to become "fatigued" after a day’s continuous use.  I first noticed this in cold weather (air temp 30 to 40 deg. F.) fishing for Great Lakes steelhead with a Fenwick fibreglass rod about 1970.  It seemed important enough that when I got a second state-of-the-art glass rod I used to swap after 3 or 4 hours. This fatigue phenomenon has not been observed in graphite rods (Loomis and no-brand IM6.)  But then I have not for 20 years flogged the water continuously all day long when fishing for fall steelhead, being physically weaker and more experienced . . . . — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

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Question:

Question # 2 – What is a

Question:

Last month someone on this newsgroup posted an inquiry regarding where to find appropriately sized waders for children. Unfortunately, I can’t remember the name/address of the poster. I believe I referred him/her to LL Bean, Cabela, or Damsel Fly. Yesterday I received a catalog from "The Global Flyfisher" in Northbrook, Illinois which lists "Fly Tech Youth Waders" which sound like exactly what this person was looking for. The listing in the catalog: "Finally, Fly Tech brings us an affordable neoprene youth wader! These youth waders have everything adult waders have. Made of 3.5mm Neoprene with a high back and adjustable suspenders. They have a large handwarmer pocket, padded knee pads, Hypalon soles, 3-D rings for accessories. Gravel guards and repair kit included. Brown." Comes in Small, Medium, and Large (they include a sizing chart). Price= $65.00 Phone: 800-457-7026 I have no ties to this company and have not seen the waders myself except in a picture, but I thought if the person was still out there looking for waders for their kid this might be the ticket.

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I’d like to hear a serious discussion of peripheral gear…waders and boots.  Let me start by telling those what I have found out then pose some questions.  Stocking foot waders seem to be more versatile than booted waders i.e. your stocking foots can go into your float tube fins for example and you have your choice of boots, felt sole for mossy bottom cleats for whatever. Neoprenes seem to have no use.  As someone who travels I need all the lightness and space I can get.  Even in the coldest Western stream I am toasty warm in plastic redball waders and sweet pants for insulation.  I use my waders protective socks made of neoprene that are designed to prevent chafing of the lightweight waders and keep gravel out with a cuff INSIDE my waders over my socks.  This keeps my feet warm and prevents me from feeling that bunched up sock and wader feeling that we all hate after walking around with all this gear on.  This negates the protection of the wader but really feels comfortable all day long.  If you have any other tips to share please post them.  Using this system of layering under thin waders I have put my neoprenes away forever.   My questions are do the Gortex fabrics that allow the wader to breath keep you drier inside on a hot day?  Do they really work as advertised?  My biggest problem is that sweaty clammy feeling from wearing a plastic bag all day.  Second, for those of you who have to hike in and pass through water to fish what do you do?  Feltsole boots are crappy hiking boots.  I’m thinking of forgetting the feltsoles and   trying hiking boots in my waders.   Anyone do this?  

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what do you do?  Feltsole boots are crappy hiking boots.  I’m thinking of forgetting the feltsoles and   trying hiking boots in my waders.   Anyone do this?

Hiking boots are crappy wading boots. If you step on a smooth, wet rock with rubber soled boots you might as well be wearing roller skates. Tight Lines Jay Whitworth

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Griz, Regarding you idea about using hiking boots with your waders, while I haven’t done that yet, I plan to. For years I used nothing but a three-ply (canvas, rubber,canvas) pair of hodgman’s hippers. I love them because they’re the toughest thing you can get for the money. However, i find as I stray farther from my home waters that I need chest waders, and I happened upon a going out of business sale and got a pair of neo. for $50. However, because the boots are so expensive and I’m so cheap, I thought about just going to a discount store and buying some fake leather hiking boots. Seems logical. I’ll tell you how they work when I get back from a trip to the west branch of the delaware in New York.  I’m looking forward to a heavy hendrikson hatch. grant

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Griz, Regarding you idea about using hiking boots with your waders, while I haven’t done that yet, I plan to. For years I used nothing but a three-ply (canvas, rubber,canvas) pair of hodgman’s hippers. I love them because they’re the toughest thing you can get for the money. However, i find as I stray farther from my home waters that I need chest waders, and I happened upon a going out of business sale and got a pair of neo. for $50. However, because the boots are so expensive and I’m so cheap, I thought about just going to a discount store and buying some fake leather hiking boots. Seems logical. I’ll tell you how they work when I get back from a trip to the west branch of the delaware in New York.  I’m looking forward to a heavy hendrikson hatch. grant

Hi Grant, For years I used a pair of jungle boots purchased at a surplus store. All I had to do was glue indoor/outdoor carpet to the soles. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

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Question:

All of the Zern titles are long out-of-print except for "Hunting & Fishing from A to Zern" which contains selctions from all of his works.  I have copies of most of the early Zern titles if anyone is interested.  Just e-mail me the title you want and I will provide a quote.

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Ed’s best have been compiled into a single volume entitled, "Hunting and Fishing From A to Zern." Check your local tackleshops, or ask at your nearest bookstore. JL 8-Wt Editor

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Ed Zern wrote a number of humorous books on fishing and fly fishing.  Some examples – - To Hell With Fishing – - How To Tell Fish From Fishermen – - Are Fishermen People – -and several others in a similiar vein. He was I believe, a member of the Anglers Club of New York – -a hot bed of fly fishing fanatics. He also edited a book on Zane Grey’s Fishing stories entitled Zane Grey’s Adventures in Angling – -  very hard to find. If you are looking for any of his fishing books, let me know. jim edgar

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: Years ago, I picked up a copy of small book entitled "To Hell with : Fishing".  A cooperative effort by Zern and a cartoonist named Webster. : It is one of my prize possesions, and I am fairly certain that they : did another version called "To Hell with Hunting".  Still looking for : that one. I’ve only seen extracts from To Hell with Fishing; they are very funny indeed, especially the one about thinking like a fish. Is it still in print? Nigel — Sussex University, England

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: Years ago, I picked up a copy of small book entitled "To Hell with : Fishing".  A cooperative effort by Zern and a cartoonist named Webster. : It is one of my prize possesions, and I am fairly certain that they : did another version called "To Hell with Hunting".  Still looking for : that one. I’ve only seen extracts from To Hell with Fishing; they are very funny indeed, especially the one about thinking like a fish. Is it still in print?

I would call Gene at Western Sport Shop in California — 415-456-5454. I’ve seen several copies of both books, (and others by EZ) but it’s the only shop (or bookstore) I’ve ever seen them in. tight lines –j

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: Years ago, I picked up a copy of small book entitled "To Hell with : Fishing".  A cooperative effort by Zern and a cartoonist named Webster. I’ve only seen extracts from To Hell with Fishing; they are very funny indeed, especially the one about thinking like a fish. Is it still in print?

I don’t think so.  I have an old copy, and I wouldn’t part with it if you offered ne an Orvis Jeep.  Unless it had the optional CD stereo package… ATB

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IMHO Ed was the best hunting and fishing writer of his day.  He did die recently and the only book of his that is in print is "Hunting and Fishing from A to Zern"  In it he tells many terrific stories as well as some good food for thought.  When people ask me why I hunt I have them read the article "I am a Hunter" from this book.

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I understand that Ed Zern was a famous flyfishing author in the 1940’s. Does any one have any information about him.Z Z

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IMHO Ed was the best hunting and fishing writer of his day.  He did die recently and the only book of his that is in print is "Hunting and Fishing from A to Zern"  In it he tells many terrific stories as well as some good food for thought.  When people ask me why I hunt I have them read the article "I am a Hunter" from this book.

Years ago, I picked up a copy of small book entitled "To Hell with Fishing".  A cooperative effort by Zern and a cartoonist named Webster. It is one of my prize possesions, and I am fairly certain that they did another version called "To Hell with Hunting".  Still looking for that one. rfb

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    Ed Zern was with Field and Stream for many years. He died last year, I think. I’ve seen a couple of his books, but cannot remember the titles. Check out his columns on the last page of F&S in your local library; many most of them are very funny.

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